Biomaterials are used in many areas of medicine, particularly in surgery and d- tistry. In orthopedic surgery, total hip arthroplasty has been extremely successful, and has been called 'the operation of the 20th century'. Total hip arthroplasty is r- tinely performed every day in most orthopedic departments. Over the last decades, many efforts have been made to better integrate the components within the recipient bones, to decrease the friction at the prosthetic interface, and to minimize wear. Minimally invasive procedures have been developed, and various designs are inte- ed to preserve as much as possible of the bone stock of young patients. By contrast, the clinical results have been less favorable after various hand and wrist joint replacements. Many early designs have failed, the clinical data of the current pr- theses are frequently quite limited, and there is often insufficient biomechanical information available, although trapezio-metacarpal arthroplasty in particular has become quite popular in recent years. In order to promote progress in hand and wrist arthroplasty, Antonio Merolli and Thomas J. Joyce have edited this lovely book, whose chapters discuss current research and recent advances in hand and wrist arthroplasty. The problems of metacarpophalangeal joint prostheses are particularly developed.

Owing to their frequency and possible consequences and considering the fact they frequently affect young people, trauma tic lesions of the thoraco lumbar spine represent a special point of interest within the field of Neurotraumatology. Traffic accidents are the commonest cause, which accounts for the high peak of occurrence between 15 and 24 years of age. It is also worth noting that according to published series nearly 50% ofthe cases affect the thoraco-lumbar junction. From an anatomical point of view, we must note the severity of thoracic spinal cord lesions especially of the thoraco-lumbar junction and of the lumbar region and be able to associate injuries ofthe conus medullaris and of the ca uda equina where there is a possibility of neurological recovery. Clinical evaluation is not always easy, but remains the basis for diagnosis and prognosis. The neurological classification proposed by FRANKEL et al. in 1969 and used at STOKE MANDEVILLE Hospital seems to retain its value. A more sophisticated study of medullary evoked potentials, as described by TsUBOKAWA can allow a more precise localisation and appreciation of the extent ofthe lesion as well as a better evaluation ofthe prognosis and ofthe evaluation of treatment in the acute phase. The neuro-radiological study should include standard views ofthe whole of the spine with antero-posterior and lateral tomograms of the fractured or luxated area. At present, the unquestionable contribution of the CT.

The purpose of this book is to teach psychologists with a neuropsychology background about cognitive remediation, the evidence in the research literature, and how to develop and conduct a treatment plan and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. The approach is illustrated using the computer-assisted cognitive remediation program developed by the author (NeurXercise). Twenty-nine different cases are presented in depth, following the outline presented in the earlier portions of the book. Treatment planning emphasizes Luria's concepts of alternate functional systems and double dissociation. Pre- and post-treatment neuropsychological testing results are presented along with ecological validity and generalization to daily functioning. The cases are presented by etiology and each section concludes with what can be learned about that etiologic process from the cognitive remediation results. This section includes blast injuries, which are still being characterized in the literature, as well as effective treatment of patients with head injury, stroke, post-neurosurgical sequelae, co-morbid disorders, subcortical disorders, attention deficit disorder, and learning disabilities. The book identifies the most commonly used neuropsychological test instruments for evaluating cognitive deficits, discusses their input and output characteristics, and does the same for the NeurXercise computer-based exercises so that the connection between testing and treatment is easy to see and develop. In addition to discussing this in the appropriate sections of the book, these are summarized in the appendixes as a reference for correlating test findings and appropriate exercises for remediating deficits.

Percutaneous nuclectomy according to the Onik method is an avantgarde method used to remove the intervertebral disc by percutaneous access and with closed surgery. The instrumentation and the procedure are simple. The main feature is the smaller diameter of the probe (2mm) which fragments and aspires the small chips of pulpy nucleus. It reduces the risk of discitic infections (occurring in various percentages with all methods of percutaneous discectomy) because the hole in the anulus, being small, closes spontaneously after the probe is removed. Moreover postoperative acute lumbar pain has been reported to occur less frequently. This method is carried out under local anesthesia, with radioscopic and intraoperative discographic monitoring. By consulting this atlas orthopaedists, neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists may learn this method easily, because every detail is clearly presented and illustrated with a great number of coloured pictures.

In this book the lectures of the first course of the International School of Cardiology at Ettore Majorana are presented. It is difficult to reflect in a publication of this kind the atmosphere and spirit of this postgraduate course. Moreover, the beautiful scenery of Erice and its surroundings, celebrated by ancient Greek poets, can never be described by the editors of this book. The purpo e of this course was to deepen our knowledge accumulated todate on the subjects of non-invasive cardio circulatory assessment and the analysis of the comprehensive approach to cardiac rehabilitation. The clinical value of exercise testing, echo-cardiography, scintigraphy, systolic time intervals have been discussed, as well as the tasks of exercise training, surgery and drugs in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. The problems of arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden death have been touched on, as well as early m bilization after myocardial infarction, the use of digoxin and beta blockers and finally, the controversies in cardiac rehabilitation."

There is an ever-increasing need for designers to create products that are genuinely inclusive of members of society with special needs. The population is growing older and legislative demands on industry to provide equal access for all are growing ever more stringent. Several research disciplines are working to find solutions to the problem of how to develop more inclusive products and the aim of Universal Access and Assistive Technology is to bring experiences from these different perspectives into a single reference. This book contains the proceedings of the first Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access and Assistive Technology (CWUAAT), incorporating the fourth Cambridge Workshop on Rehabilitation Robotics, held in Cambridge, England in March 2002. This book contains contributions from an international group of leading researchers in the fields of Universal Access and Assistive Technology. Contributions include papers on design, robotics and computer access, as well as the experiences of industry.It is composed of three parts containing material on: * design issues for universal access and assistive technology; * enabling computer access and new technologies; * assistive technology and rehabilitation robotics. Reflecting the spirit of recent moves to extend rights to universal accessibility, this series of workshops and accompanying books is aimed at a broad range of interests, with a general focus on the development of products and solutions. Numerous case studies are used to raise awareness of the challenges faced in developing truly inclusive products, along with examples of good practice.

The workshops that have been held over the past few years and the volumes published in their wake have proved highly successful and have prompted us to press on with our initial plans. Our basic aim was to tackle certain very important problems in respiratory rehabilitation and then discuss the various issues with people from all over the wodd engaged in the updating of experience and know ledge in this field. We therefore firmly believe that this ongoing effort is of fundamental importance. Hyperinflation, which is still a poody defined c1inical and physiopatho logical condition, is the focal point ofthis present study, which is aimed at discussing and weighing up the physiopathological mechanisms, c1inical consequences, and rehabilitation possibilities in a disease in which, until relatively recently, rehabilitation had seemed almost totally ineffective. The present contributions, however, show us how very important and versatile rehabilitation may be in its treatment. Perhaps, if we consider this branch of medicine as one which now no longer simply draws upon other sciences, but make an active contribution in its own right, we will have touched upon the most important aspect of this study. If I may, I would just like to add how very pleasing it is for me to acknow ledge how much this joint effort has contributed, in terms of true insights and above all VI results, to finding solutions to the problems addressed in reeent years.

This monograph comprises 17 papers written by prominent authors in the field, each of whom presents his most recent experiences. The papers were not specially selected so that this work is far from being a comprehensive textbook covering all aspects of right ventricular hypertrophy and failure in chronic lung disease. Perhaps some of the papers dealing with more strictly physiological problems and experimental models will be somewhat difficult to relate directly to former modes of thinking of both cardiologists and pneumologists. Nevertheless, we hope and expect that this book will provide the reader with, an in-depth appreciation of the situation of present research in different laboratories and countries. Occasionally contradictions between different papers may be noticed. We have not tried to remove these, since each contradiction reflects current areas of dispute or uncertainty in this developing field. We wish finally to acknowledge the continuing support of the Clinica del Lavoro Foundation for projects aimed at promoting education in all fields related to medical rehabilitation. Vlastimil Jdek Mario Morpurgo Roberto Tramarin Foreword This volume is the sixth issue in the Series "Current Topics in Rehabilitation", which was ftrst conceived in 1987 with the aim of offering updated indications as to functional comprehensive evaluation strategies and rehabilitation programmes.

Designed in a concise, easy-to-read style for a wide variety of medical occupations, the Rehab Clinical Pocket Guide is the ideal, handy reference for rehabilitation professionals and other health providers. Divided into four sections that cover inpatient care, clinical strategies, outpatient care, and additional diagnostics and therapeutics, this is the first book of its kind to contain all of the relevant clinical information needed on the rehabilitation unit, including specific admission order sets and topics such as medication dosing, consultant recommendations, specific rehabilitation goals and treatments, and even billing details for various diagnoses. The Rehab Clinical Pocket Guide offers all the clinical material needed to properly treat patients and excel in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation and will prove an indispensable resource for therapists, nutritionists, medical students, and physicians alike.

This is another classic contribution by Braune and Fischer to the field of biomechanics. The pendulum method was employed to ascertain ac curately the moments and radii of inertia of the human body and its different parts about all axes - transverse, oblique or longitudinal. This elegant method is described in detail, together with the results. Relations were found between the centres of inertia on one hand and the lengths and diameters of the body segments on the other. These data were originally prepared for the authors' later work, The Human Gait, to determine the forces exerted on and by the parts of the body during walking. Such work is the basis for solving the mechanical prob lems related to any movement of the human body: thus, the original results presented here continue to be of im mense value to current research and practice. Aywaille, May 1988 P. Maquet v Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Experimental Determination of the Moments of Inertia of the Parts of the Body About Axes Through the Centre of Gravity and at Right Angles to the Longitudinal Axis, and About the Longitudinal Axis Itself . . . . 11 First Series of Experiments. . . . . 16 Second Series of Experiments. . . . 25 Oscillations of the Trunk and Head System. 29 Oscillations of the Trunk Without the Head 30 Oscillations of the Head. . . 31 Oscillations of the Left Leg. . . . . . . . 31 Oscillations of the Left Thigh. . . . . . . 31 Oscillations of the Left Lower Leg and Foot System . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Oscillations of the Left Lower Leg . . ."

Pulmonary rehabilitation programmes are a fundamental part of the clinical management of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. This comprehensive reference book places pulmonary rehabilitation within the wider framework of respiratory disease. Now in six parts, it includes new sections on the development of PR as a discipline, global perspectives on quality control, new chapters on early PR post exacerbation and personalized rehabilitation, innovative approaches to exercise, PR in interstitial lung disease and lung transplantation, and the latest research into the application of music, dance and yoga. Key Features Global contributions compare practice around the world where differences have developed. New six Part structure covers new approaches to exercise testing, interstitial lung diseases and other diseases, and add-on interventions drawing on new technologies. Contains recommendations of the large collaborative ERS/ATS task forces on guidelines for PR as well as suggested policies for its implementation and use. Covers the important topic of balance impairment as a focus of rehabilitation for the at-risk patient and a new chapter on monitoring physical activity. The voices of patients and caregivers describe the impact of chronic respiratory disease on their lives. Features an exclusive chapter on COVID-19 that discusses the short- and long-term pathophysiological consequences, provides information about the potential role of physiotherapy in the management of hospitalized patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, and details on who, where, and how to deliver programs to COVID-19 and non COVID-19 patients in the lockdown and post lockdown era.

This monograph analyses all aspects related to the etiopathogenesis, pathomorphology, diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation. It includes 24 chapters, over 500 illustrations, partly in colour, and 2800 bibliographic entries, going from the historical to the most recent ones. Five chapters are dedicated to biological and pathomorphologic aspects both of lumbar disc herniation and the conditions most often associated with herniation. The etiopathogenesis is analysed in the light of the most significant and recent studies. Five chapters deal with the clinical presentation and diagnostic tests in an extremely wide and detailed way. Large space is reserved to conservative management. The chapters on invasive treatments and on the results and complications of surgery define the advantages and limitations of the old and new percutaneous or surgical treatments. Two chapters are dedicated to surgical management of patients with spinal conditions associated with herniation, and two other deal with the surgical failure. This monograph is aimed at satisfying the requirements of both experts and young doctors. Some chapters are of particular interest to the spine specialist, whilst others are useful to the novice to acquire a general knowledge of the subject.

Rehabilitation in Neurosurgery is not a new task but on Neurosurgical Rehabilitation in Munster, offering rather an indispensable part of neurological surgery the opportunity to visit various types of neurosurgical from the beginning, intended to avoid or to improve rehabilitation facilities. During this conference it be- diagnosable or impending damage to the CNS, and came apparent that neurorehabilitation had been ne- to prevent secondary and tertiary complications by glected by most of the neurosurgeons around the world adequate therapeutic measures. Rehabilitation should during the second half of the last century and it was agreed to improve on this situation by publishing the start right at the onset and site of the acute impact to the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves. Thanks results of their work as a special volume. to the tremendous progress in modern neurosurgery Selected papers from another two meetings (the regarding microsurgical techniques, instruments, so- 5th Annual Meeting of the Euroacademy of Multi- disciplinary Neurotraumatology, organised in con- phisticated technologies, multidisciplinary team ap- junction with the Meeting of the European Brain proaches, neuro-imaging, neuropharmacology, anti- Injury Society and France Traumatism Cranien, Paris, biotics, neuroanaesthesiology, and intensive care organized by the Congress President Jean Luc Truelle, treatment, more and more patients frequently survive on September 20-23, 2000; Workshop on Early Re- even life threatening lesions to the brain and spinal habilitation, Maribor, Chair Matej Lipovsek, March cord, however, at the expense of severe sensory, motor

Designing inclusively is no longer an option for companies. It is a business essential. Global populations are getting older, legislation is increasingly prohibitive of unnecessary exclusion and consumer attitudes are beginning to change. Exclusivity is out, inclusivity is in. Research communities the world over are responding to this change in design emphasis. Conferences such as the Cambridge Workshops on Universal Access and Assistive Technology (CWUAAT) offer a forum for researchers from diverse and varied disciplines to bring their perspectives on inclusive design together. This book has been inspired by the second CWUAAT, held in Cambridge, England in March 2004. It contains chapters from an international group of leading researchers in this field. Contributions focus on the following topics: design issues for universal access and assistive technology; enabling computer access and new technologies; and, assistive technology and rehabilitation robotics. This series of conferences is aimed at a broad range of interests, with a general focus on the development of products and solutions. Numerous case studies are used to raise awareness of the challenges faced in developing truly inclusive products, along with examples of good practice for design for a more inclusive world.

Over the last two decades, the increasing use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has reduced the need for endotracheal ventilation, thus decreasing the rate of ventilation-induced complications. Thus, NIV has decreased both intubation rates and mortality rates in specific subsets of patients with acute respiratory failure (for example, patients with hypercapnia, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, immune deficiencies, or post-transplantation acute respiratory failure). Despite the increased use of NIV in clinical practice, there is still a need for more educational tools to improve clinicians knowledge of the indications and contraindications for NIV, the factors that predict failure or success, and also what should be considered when starting NIV. This book has the dual function of being a "classical" text where the major findings in the literature are discussed and highlighted, as well as a practical manual on the tricks and pitfalls to consider in NIV application by both beginners and experts. For example, setting the ventilatory parameters; choosing the interfaces, circuits, and humidification systems; monitoring; and the "right" environment for the "right" patient will be discussed to help clinicians in their choices."

An increasing number of psychologists who were trained in clinical psychology, health psychology, or another specialty are gravitating toward rehabilitation psychology, but many of them have little or no experience with rehabilitation populations. With the explosion of interest in traumatic brain injury (TBI), many neuropsychologists are taking jobs in rehabilitation settings that treat people with TBI but also care for persons with the array of other disabling conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke, MS, and amputation. In Specialty Competencies in Rehabilitation Psychology, Drs. Cox, Cox, and Caplan provide a guide to the knowledge and skills required by competent rehabilitation psychologists, with an emphasis on the evidence base of the specialty. The volume will be valuable to those preparing for the Board Certification Examination in Rehabilitation Psychology and will also be valuable to newcomers to the field and to clinicians working on an outpatient basis with individuals with a wide variety of chronic conditions. Series in Specialty Competencies in Professional Psychology Series Editors Arthur M. Nezu and Christine Maguth Nezu As the field of psychology continues to grow and new specialty areas emerge and achieve recognition, it has become increasingly important to define the standards of professional specialty practice. Developed and conceived in response to this need for practical guidelines, this series presents methods, strategies, and techniques for conducting day-to-day practice in any given psychology specialty. The topical volumes address best practices across the functional and foundational competencies that characterize the various psychology specialties, including clinical psychology, cognitive and behavioral psychology, school psychology, geropsychology, forensic psychology, clinical neuropsychology, couples and family psychology, and more. Functional competencies include common practice activities like assessment and intervention, while foundational competencies represent core knowledge areas such as ethical and legal issues, cultural diversity, and professional identification. In addition to describing these competencies, each volume provides a definition, description, and development timeline of a particular specialty, including its essential and characteristic pattern of activities, as well as its distinctive and unique features. Written by recognized experts in their respective fields, volumes are comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible. These volumes offer invaluable guidance to not only practicing mental health professionals, but those training for specialty practice as well.

An injury to the brain can affect virtually any aspect of functioning and, at the deepest level, can alter sense of self or the essential qualities that define who we are. In recent years, there has been a growing body of research investigating changes to self in the context of brain injury. Developments in the cognitive and social neurosciences, psychotherapy and neurorehabilitation have together provided a rich perspective on self and identity reformation after brain injury. This book draws upon these theoretical perspectives and research findings to provide a comprehensive account of the impact of brain injury on self-identity. The second half of this book provides an in-depth review of clinical strategies for assessing changes in self-identity after brain injury, and of rehabilitation approaches for supporting individuals to maintain or re-establish a positive post-injury identity. The book emphasizes a shift in clinical orientation, from a traditional focus on alleviating impairments, to a focus on working collaboratively with people to support them to re-engage in valued activities and find meaning in their lives after brain injury. Self-Identity after Brain Injury is the first book dedicated to self-identity issues after brain injury which integrates theory and research, and also assessment and intervention strategies. It will be a key resource to support clinicians and researchers working in brain injury rehabilitation, and will be of great interest to researchers and students in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and allied health disciplines.

It was a great pleasure and honour to have been invited to attend this Seminar and to present a final impression. The association in this field between the Chester Beatty Research Institute and Dr. Rosenberg's School at East Lansing is something which I specially value and many would doubtless like to know how it came about. In the course of its work in carcinogenesis and on chemotherapy over many years, the Chester Beatty Research Institute was frequently drawn to the importance of many metals - as for example lead, iron, metalloid arsenic and the metalloid quali ties of the carcinogenic hydrocarbons. Interest started in platinum many years ago, following the possibility, c1aimed by others, that various complexes between the metal and mercaptopurine might possess significant chemotherapeutic properties. Va rious attempts to confirm such findings ended, however, in complete failure. Interest in platinum was revived by the fresh observations of Dr. Rosenberg and his collea gues, and here the outcome was entirely different. Very soon it was possible to con firm the intense growth-inhibitory properties of cis-platinum (II) diamminedi chloride and related substances. After communicating these results to Dr. Rosenberg, it was a pleasure to welcome hirn in London where he gave a Seminar which greatly engaged the interest of many of the staff. Later, several of these were to enjoy Dr. Rosenberg's hospitality at an international conference on the subject to be held in East Lansing, where many rapidly developing aspects were open for discussion."

While evidence-based practice (EBP) has greatly influenced rehabilitation in the past decade, it continues to evolve and practitioners need guidance to implement evidence into their practice. Evidence-Based Rehabilitation: A Guide to Practice, the best-selling text providing step-by-step EBP guidance for rehabilitation professionals, has been updated into an expanded Third Edition. In Evidence-Based Rehabilitation, Third Edition Drs. Mary Law and Joy MacDermid, along with their contributors, explain evidence-based rehabilitation, the concepts underlying EBP, and build the reader's knowledge and skills through specific learning. The text is organised by the steps of the EBP process-introduction to EBP, finding the evidence, assessing the evidence, and using the evidence. EBP focuses first and foremost on making the best decisions for each client and using the best information available. For many rehabilitation practitioners, building skills in EBP is best done one step at a time. Evidence-Based Rehabilitation helps the rehabilitation student and practitioner develop his or her knowledge and skills to implement evidence-based rehabilitation in practice. Benefits of the Third Edition: All chapters have been updated with new information and resources New chapters about systematic reviews, and knowledge transfer Extensive guide available with specific student activities and answers for faculty use Critical review forms included for student use-these forms have been used by practitioners and researchers around the world for 10 to 20 years Recognition throughout the book that EBP in rehabilitation means bringing together research evidence, clinical reasoning of the therapist and client values and goals Fits the standard 3-unit course design with 11 to 12 sessions Instructors in educational settings can visit www.efacultylounge.com for additional materials to be used for teaching in the classroom. Designed and written by an occupational therapist and a physical therapist with extensive research, education, and practice experience, Evidence-Based Rehabilitation: A Guide to Practice, Third Edition will guide both occupational therapy and physical therapy students and practitioners as they incorporate evidence-based practice into their work.

Sleep and Rehabilitation: A Guide for Health Professionals is a concise reference for the health professional looking to further understand sleep and how sleep science may impact particular areas of various rehabilitation disciplines. Dr. Julie M. Hereford and her contributors present Sleep and Rehabilitation: A Guide for Health Professionals in an easy-to-read manner by dividing the text into four main sections. The first section provides a review of the basic scientific understanding of sleep. While there are many other publications that present a basic scientific understanding of sleep, Sleep and Rehabilitation systematically gears this information toward the rehabilitation professional with commonly used terminology, descriptions of sleep architecture, and information concerning sleep hygiene. The final sections of Sleep and Rehabilitation describe disordered sleep and how it pertains to patients seen in the rehabilitation setting. It guides the health professional to recognise the manifestations and consequences of disordered sleep and teaches the rehabilitation professional how to interpret a sleep study in order to provide guidance in clinical decision making. Finally, Sleep and Rehabilitation provides the ever-important practical application of the theoretical principles in sleep rehabilitation. Features include: Discussion on the science of polysomnography Sleep and sleep dysfunction from a rehabilitation perspective Sleep dysfunction as it relates to the clinical needs of a patient undergoing the rehabilitation process Discussion on the particular concerns that sleep and sleep dysfunction can hold for rehabilitation patients and issues to be addressed by the provider Presentation of unique issues that disordered sleep may present in the rehabilitation process such as on pain, pain management, motor learning, and memory and performance enhancement Tools to assess quality and quantity of a patient's sleep Discussion on methods in which sleep may be manipulated in order to optimise a patient's physical performance Sleep and Rehabilitation: A Guide for Health Professionals is a one-of-a-kind reference that will help the health professional incorporate the science of sleep into the rehabilitation process.

The twu-day sympusium held un the campus uf Augustana Cullege, Ruck Island, Illinuis, April 5 and 6, 1967, explured the interrelatiunship between the life sciences and engineering and attempted tu make the scientific cummunity mure aware uf an interdisciplinary appruach tu engineering. The sympusium suught tu stimulate new mechanical engineering cuncepts perhaps nut pussible utilizing data available unly thruugh ideas derived frum the traditiunal physical sciences. Devuted tu clused luup biomechanical systems in which biulugical furces and feedback influence mechanical, physical, and chemical systems, this first Ruck Island Arsenal Biumechanics Sympusium was cuspunsured by Ruck Island Arsenal, u. S. Army Weapuns Cummand, U. S. Army Research Office Durham, and Augustana Cullege. It strived fur academic excellance, and the spunsurs are indebted tu the Advisury Cummittee in pruviding the guidance and participatiun required tu achieve this ubjective as reflected in these pruceedings. Persunal thanks are extended tu Drs. Russ C. Bean, Geurge Bugliarellu, Rubert G. Gesteland, Warren S. MCCulluugh, Lawrence M. Patrick, Ali Seirig, and Heinz Vun Fuerster. The planning cummittee, which included Pruf. Juhn E. Ekblad, Edwin M. Vaughan, Alan G. Galbavy, and the editurs, are also. tu be cummended fur their ef- furts in arranging this successful sympusium.

Triennial the Division of Biomedical Engineering of the Institute of Textile Technology and Chemical Engineering, Denkendorf, is organizing conferences on specific topics in the field of polymeric materials for use in the biomedical areas. The aim is to bring together scientists from allover the world working on this speci fic topic, to present the newest state of the art and to discuss their problems in a more concentrated atmosphere and at last to create and intensivate their cooperation. Following two conferences on "Polyurethanes in Biomedical Engi neering" (1983 and 1986), the Institute of Textile Technology and Chemical Engineering set a theme, which is very closely related to its own task: "Medical Textiles for Implantation". As technical materials, textiles can be classified in two fields of application: - first, textiles used for highly flexible, strong, but only tension load bearing systems, e.g. tows; - second, textiles manufactured to flat shaped devices to separate two regions more or less semipermeable, e.g. clothing; - a combination of both are reinforced systems like tubular fabrics e.g.; here pressure load will be transformed to tensile load, the separation may be performed by a coating. In the biological systems the classification can be used in the same manner: - Tension load bearing structures are ligaments and tendons, semipermeable separation is realized by cell membranes as well as by cell layers, for example the skin. - The combination of both of the principles can be found for example in arteries and the trachea.

During the past five years there has been a reawakening of interest in the psychotherapy of patients with medical disorders characterized as psychosomatic. For three decades, psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy were used extensively to treat and study psychosomatic disorders. Early in the 1960s, interest in this approach to these conditions faded, and the .Psychosomatic Service. in most hospitals became the .Consultation Liaison Service. (Lipowski, 1967). The recent focus of biofeedback on psychosomatic conditions provides a new technique with which the physician or psychiatrist may treat these patients (Rickles, 1981). In addition, the successful application of biofeedback training to a variety of complaints such as those presented in this volume has heralded the addition of biofeedback to the treatment modalities used for medical complaints. Frequently, psychological factors can still be seen; for example, when biofeedback treatment may require lifestyle changes on the part of the patient, the exploration of secondary gains or resistances before the disorder can be success fully treated, and the establishment of rapport and empathy which is so important for truly effective biofeedback training. Aside from certain psychological dimensions that are always present in biofeed back training, in this case biofeedback is being used in a primarily medical setting for primarily medical complaints."

While emphysema and chronic bronchitis are primarily lung di seases, one of their major consequences is to deeply affect the function of the respiratory muscles. Lung hyperinflation shortens the inspiratory muscles due to increased airways resistance, more of their effort is demanded and changes in nutritional status wea ken them further. Their malfunction can lead to severe dyspnea and to failure of the ventilatory pump. Over the last 10 years we have witnessed an explosion of information of how respiratory muscles function in health and disease, new techniques for their evaluation have been created, the concept of fatigue, weakness, and failure was developed, and their rest or training was attemp ted. The implication of respiratory muscles malfunction in respi ratory medicine has reached a prominent place. It seems remarkable that while some aspect of skeletal muscles function requires molecular biology techniques to find new an swers, we still know little on respiratory muscles interaction, stra tegies of coordination, their role in dyspnea, chronic hypercapnia or how to effectively improve their function in patients. This workshop was organized and held at the Medical Center of Rehabilitation in Montescano and represents an attempt to focus on how the newly adquired wealth of information can eventually be trasformed into medical care. The particpants in this workshop brought forward challenging thoughts and we are most grateful for their participation. This book represents a report of the proceedings and also provides the most updated information in this field.

G. MATHE and R. K. OLDHAM' Institut de Cancerologie et d'Immunogem tique, Hopital Paul Brousse, Villejuif Since the last war, cancer chemotherapy has been the object of very intensive and expensive research. Nevertheless, its development has been very slow, and its ultimate potential is today somewhat in doubt. In doubt because it does not cure any cancer patients except a) females carrying placental choriocarcinoma, a semi-allogenic tumor, in which case, cure may be in fluenced by immune rejection, and b) children suffering from Burkitt's tumor, where the probable reason for the cure is that all the neoplastic cells are in the cycle, which is a unique condition among all the human tumor varieties. Whether the long term survivors in acute leukemia, lymphomas, certain sarcomas and certain testicular tumors are "cures" will require longer follow-up. The idea that chemotherapy does not cure most cancer patients because all their neoplastic cells are not in cycle has led to the use of drug combinations. Whatever they are, "cocktail combinations" which are made up of drugs given according to any timing, or scientific combinations, based on pharmacodynamics, pharmaco kinetics or cell kinetics data, are more toxic than single drugs, and are all the more toxic as the number of drugs in the combination is increased."